Big Crowd for Lady Shoes' Welcome Home Sunday

(THE LADY SHOES LOOK READY TO THAW OUT AFTER A FROSTY FIRE TRUCK RIDE THROUGH THE VILLAGE)

The championship game didn't turn out the way the Teutopolis Lady Shoes and their fans had hoped, but a big crowd showed their appreciation Sunday for a great season.

The crowd filed into J.H. Griffin Gym following a frosty ride for the team through the village on fire engines. It was a warm atmosphere in the gym, though, as those on hand enjoyed stories of the big weekend and shared several rounds of applause for the team.

Teutopolis School Superintendent Bill Fritcher served as Master of Ceremonies. The players were welcomed into the gym one-by-one, followed by the managers and the coaching staff.

Teutopolis Village Board President Greg Hess read a proclamation marking February 24 as Lady Shoes Day in the village, and Troy Ozenkoski spoke on behalf of the school board to commend the team for their effort.

Boys basketball Coach Chester Reeder reminded that a team and a season are not defined by one game, "but by what you do on and off the court day-by-day." Reeder thanked Lady Shoes Coach Laurie Thompson, who also serves as Teutopolis athletic director, and Athletic Secretary Sharon Roepke for their help during his first season at T-Town.

Terry Mette, speaking on behalf of the parents of the players, mentioned the trophies received this season and throughout the four years the seniors have played will soon sit on a shelf gathering dust, but asked the girls to "look at what else you have gained" in the way of lasting relationships and memories.

(THE HARDWARE AMASSED BY THIS YEAR'S SQUAD)

The senior players, led by Sadie Bueker, thanked the coaches and the community for their support, although she wasn't sure how she ended up getting chosen to serve as spokesman.

(THE LADY SHOES SENIORS)

Thompson thanked the Lady Shoes fans, who were the biggest crowd and the most vocal. She noted that this season's team tied the 1995 squad for the most wins ever in a season, 33, and commended the team for their academic performance, noting the team's grade point average is 3.82. She also hit on some off-the-court highlights, including when several team members got stuck in an elevator.

(LADY SHOES COACH LAURIE THOMPSON)

At the conclusion of the ceremony, those in attendance were invited to enjoy specially decorated cupcakes and to grab posters autographed by the team members.

(SPECIALLY-DECORATED CUPCAKES FOR THE TEAM)

All-in-all, a special day for a special team.